Parking regulator



J. w. BULLocK 2,214,829

PARKING REGULATOR Filed sept. 2, 193e s sums-sheet 1 Sept. 17, l 940.

Q RMN Sept. 17, 1940. J-W BULLQCK 2,214,829

PARKING REGULATOR Filed Sept. '2, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 30a Y, I y l Myra/e'.

Sept. 1'7. 1940. J, w. BuLLocK 2,214,829

PARKING REGULATOR Filed Sept. 2, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 //////A .1 7 /6 4% 5' J'/ gz 75 Sept. 17, 1940. J' Wq BULLOCK 2,214,829

PARKING REGULATOR Filed Sept. 2, 1938 f5 Sheets-Sheet 4 H mmm, Illu n M HU WNW V HW 4 77 d im a., ./l/

Patented Sept. 17,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PARKING REGULATOR John W. Bullock, Miami, Fla.

Application September 2, 1938, Serial No. 228,138

8 Claims.

This invention relates to means for regulating parking of vehicles', particularly on city streets.

The problem of parking vehicles in congested districts of cities has reached an acute stage. Parking meters have been introduced in numerous cities in which payment is deposited to compensate for the use of a parking space for a predetermined length of time, these meters showing at the end of the predetermined period a visible sign which indicates that the vehicle has overstayed the predetermined time, but it is possible for one to return near the end of the period and by making an additional payment extend the time for an additional period, or even, unless checkup is made with great frequency, to over-stay the time and then make payment, extending the time for an additional period. Many additional complications arise in that a space is often used for a limited portion of the time paid for and thereafter the space is available for another person for the balance of the period. This in itself might not be objectionable except that it gives rise to the habitof shopping around for a space having an unused period, causing such slow-up of traiic as to cause in itself serious congestion.

In addition to 4this the laws of numerous States are such that the right to' charge for parking is extremely questionable, although the right to prohibit parking for more than a limited time and to iine owners for the violation seems to be unquestioned.

The s present invention therefore relates to means for recording and identifying a vehiclewhich has been parked for more than a predetermined period, and to means for further recording additional predetermined periods in which the vehicle remains in the space.

'Ihe objects of the present invention are:

To provide means for recording the license number of a parked automobile, as by photographing the same. v

To provide means for operating a camera for such purposes.

To provide means operated by the positioning of a vehicle in a parking space for starting said operating means.

lTo provide means operated by exit of the vehicle from the parking space for restoring the operating mechanism to initial position.

To provide means for delaying operation of the camera for a predetermined period.

To provide means for delaying the operation of the camera for a predetermined period and after initial operation for operating the camera at predetermined successive intervals; and

To provide means for visually indicating that the vehicle has over-stayed the first said predetermined period oi time.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects are accomplished, and the method of their accomplishment will readily be understood from the following specification on reference to the accompanying drawings in which? Fig. l is a plan View of a short section oi street in which parking is allowed, and is to be metered, one side of the street being shown as arranged for diagonal parking and the other side thereof for parking parallel with the curb, showing one positioning of control mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a similar plan view showing the posi- 15 tioning of an `alternate type of control mechamsm.

i Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation showing the detail of the control mechanism used in such alternate form.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation showing the vehicle operated trip employed in the rst type of control mechanism and the stand housing the remainder of the mechanism, a portion of this housing being broken away to indicate connection to an operating motor therein. Y

Fig. 5 is. an enlarged detail of the switch of Fig. 4, operated by the trip mechanism of such view.

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of the stand 30 showing the mechanism housed therein in elevation and showing the front of the camera.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation taken on the line VII- VII of Fig. 6 and at right angles thereto.

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan taken on the line 35 VIII--VIII of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary detail showing the return drum release mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken on the line X-X oi Fig. 6.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated'by numerals:

I0 is the roadway portion of a street and I I the curb lines. I2 and I3 are respectively markings outlining positions which individual automobiles I4 may occupy when parked on the street.

In Figs. 1,- 4 and 5, I5 are plates disposed in the street surface in such position that one wheel of an automobile entering a parking space outlined by the marks I2 and I3 must pass over it, 50 and thatA this wheel or another wheel of the vehicle must again pass over the plate in leaving the parking space.

I6 are stands adapted to house certain operating mechanism, to be later described, and a camera; and Il, shown dotted, indicate'conduits for wiring connections, from mechanism underlying the plate I5, or I5-A as the case may be, to the stand I6.

In Figs. 2 and 3 a larger plate I5-A has been substituted for the plate I5, the larger plate l5-A being so positioned that when an automobile is parked within an area dened by the curb Il and lines I2 and I3, one of the wheels must come to rest on such plate and there remain until the parking period ends.

The plate I5 forms the cover of a box 20, both preferably being made of metal, as cast iron. The top of the box is substantially flush with the roadway surface IU. The cover I5 is hinged as on a pin 2I adjacent one end of the box and is supported adjacent its opposite end as by a coil spring 22, this spring supporting the plate I5 above the street surface and being of such strength that the weight as of the wheel of an automobile is necessary in order to depress it, being purposely made of suihcent strength that one or more persons standing thereon cannot trip it and thereby cause its unwanted operation. Within the box is a switch adapted for operation by the depression of the plate I5. This switch preferably comprises a base of insulating material 23 which supports brackets 24 in which a shaft 25 is journalled.

Secured on this shaft is a ratchet wheel 26, preferably having four notches, and also secured on the shaft is a contact bar 2`I which is adapted to bridge between fingers 28, and establish a circuit between lead wires 38, 3|.

Turnably mounted on the shaft 25 is an arm 32 which carries a pawl 33 which successively engages the notches of the ratchet 26. The arm 32 is connected by a link 34, pins 35 and 36, and a bracket 31 to the plate l5. The bracket 3`I may be insulated from the plate by insulation 38. The wires 3U, 3l lead from the switch through the conduit Il to a constant speed motor 4i) within the stand i6. 4I is a power circuit leading to the motor, the circuit being closed and opened by the switch above described.

In the form of the device shown in Figs, 2 and 3, 2I--A is a contact bar which is preferably insulated from the plate l5-A as by a block of insulation 29-A,v the bar being directly depressed into engagement with the contact fingers 28-A, establishing a circuit between the lead wires 3--A, 3I--A when an automobile wheel rests on and depresses the plate I5A. Such contact is made when the automobile enters the parking spaces and continues until the automobile leaves, and the spring 22-A raise the plate and break the circuit. The wires 30--A, 3I-A lead as before to the motor 40, the subsequent mechanism in both forms being identical.

The motor 40 is geared through reducing gearing as a worm 42, worm wheel 43, second worm 44, worm wheel 45, pinion 46 and gear 4l to a shaft 48, suitably journalled, the reductionin the present case being so made that each complete turn of the shaft is accomplished in a predetermined period of time corresponding to the free time parking interval allowed. Secured on the shaft 48, as by a pin 49, is a disc 5U which carries a dog 5I adapted to be engaged with a wheel having ratchet teeth 52. Preferably the disc 50 has a protruding ear 53 to which the dog 5I is pivotally attached as by a pin 54. Also mounted on the disc 5D is an electro-magnet 55, which, when energized depresses the dog 5I into engagement with the ratchet teeth 52. SI-A is a spring acting to disengage the dog when the magnet is deenergized. Current is fed to the magnet from the power circuit 4I through a transformer 56, one lead 5T from the secondary of the transformer being connected to a shoe 5B which contacts a sleeve 59, the sleeve 59 being carried by a hub 60 of insulating material mounted on and turning with the shaft 48. 6I is a lead from the sleeve 59 to the magnet 55, the opposite magnet lead 62 and transformer secondary lead 63 being grounded. 'Ihe dog 5I has a laterally extending armature 55 overlying the core 66 of the magnet and being depressed by energization of the magnet to eifect engagement of the dog 5I with the ratchet teeth 52.

The ratchet wheel 52 is secured to and turns with a spiral cam 'l0 which has an abrupt drop I l. When the gear 52 is coupled by the dog 5I` and is rotated by the motor, the cam I0 moves in the direction of the arrow A, Fig. '7. 'I2 is a roller resting on the face of the cam l0, this roller being carried by an arm 13, one end of which is pivotally supported as by a pin 14, which pin in turn is carried by an oscillatable arm l5, this arm in turn being pivotally supported as by a pin 16. 'Il is a tension spring, and 'i8 a stop limiting movement of the arm I5 under pull of the spring TI. 19 is a tension Spring urging the arm 'I3 downward and holding the roller I2 in engagement with the ace of the cam l0. The arm 'I3 has an upwardly extending portion having an inwardly turned lug 8| adapted for engagement with a complementary lug 82 which projects from a camera trip link 83, which link on depression trips the protruding lever 84 of the shutter of a camera 35. The link 83 is normally held in raised position by a tension spring 86 which depends as from a transverse plate 81 which may serve as a support for the camera 85. Y

90 are ears projecting from the cam l0. 9I is a latch member pivotally supported as by a pinA 92 (Fig. 9) carried by the ears 90, one end SIA of this latch member extending into the path of the roller 'i2 and being adapted to be depressed when the roller drops. 93 is a compression spring supporting this end of the latch member. The opposite end SI-B of the latch member extends into the path of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 94, this wheel forming an integral part 'of a drum 95 which is journalled on the shaft 48. 96 is a cord or cable wrapped around the drum 95 and having one end secured thereto, the opposite end of the cord being attached to a weight 91. The drum has a flanged end 98 which exteriorly spirals inward to an abrupt rise 99. This rise is engaged as the drum is reversely turned by a swinging stop 100 which limits the drum movement to one substantially complete turn.

The camera 85 is an ordinary camera, using roll film and having a lens I I0 of short focus and wide angle. The camera is provided with an automatic spacer which advances an unexposed film section after each picture is taken. Access to the camera is had through a door III in the back side of the stand, this door being provided with a lock II2 preventing unauthorized access thereto.

The link 83 may have an extension II5 which has a lug IIB, adapted on depression of the rod to engage a slidable link I I1, which projects upward through the top or roof I I8 of the stand. I I9 is a signal or flag having its lower end hinged as by a pin |20 to the roof surface. The flag I I9 has a bell crank projection I2I which is engaged by the link IIT 'when the latter is depreed and which shifts the flag H9 into vertical position where it remains until manually depressed. It

will be noted that the depression of the rod 83 at the end of the iirst period raises the flag and no subsequent depression has effect thereon.

The installation comprises marking oif on-the street surface distinct lines, I2 and I3, outlining spaces in which automobiles may be parked and installing in each of these spaces, approximately at the mid point thereof, one of the boxes 28 including the actuating plates I5 by which these boxes have been designated in the street plan, or, alternately, the installation of boxes 20-A including their plates I5-A.

The stands I6 carrying the cameras 85 are then installed in such position that the lens I8 o f the camera points toward the endof an automobile parked in the space outlined therefor. The motor and other mechanism within thestand and the switch within the box are connected up to a power line I4I which is ordinarily lead to the stands inusual manner through a condu'it.

After the installation is made the doors III of the backs of the stands may be opened to provide access to the camera and the film rolls adapted for the desired ymaximum number of pictures are placed in the camera, it being presently supposed that the number of pictures to be taken should properly be either three or four and that the l'm provided should take care of such nummer of pictures only. One Wheel of an automobile entering a parking space must necessarily cross the plate I5 depressing the plate and throwing the switch bar 21 into closed position between the contact fingers 28, energizing the motor 40 and the magnet 55, the energization of the magnet depressing the. ratchet 5I into engagement with the ratchet wheel 52 andoperatively connecting the motor through the gearing to the cam 10. At the same time the energization of the motor starts the motor and the timing period. Obviously a motorist entering the space may not properlyk position his car and may shift 'the car a number of times before he finally accomplishes proper position and in such shift may cross and recross the plate a number of times. Each such crossing of the plate obviously depresses the plate and alternately the motor is energized by each inward movement and deenergized by each outward movement but must come to rest, if properly parked, with the motor energized.

With the motor energized, the timing period progresses, the motor, through the gearing, turnf ing the cam 10 and gradually raising the roller 12 and the arm 13 which carries said roller to bring the lug 8| upward into position to engage the camera trip lug 82. During this movement the spring 11 holds the arm 15 against the stop 18 with the lug 8| shiftedout of the path of the lug 82 and free to move upward. yShould the vehicle remain in the parking space in excess of the allotted time, the timing cam 1I1 the cable 86 and raising the weight 81. The

roller 12 dropping along the abrupt face of the cam strikes the arm 8I-A and disegages the detent 8I-B from the ratchet wheel 84, permitting the weight 81 to return the drum to its initial point with the abrupt rise 88 of the flange 88 engaging the stop |00 and limiting the movement. Movement of the cam 10 continuing, the arm 8I-A moves from beneath the roller 12 and through action of the spring 83 the detent 8I-B is re-engaged with the teeth of the ratchet 84 of the drum 85 and rewinding o f the weight cable upon the drum is recommenced. Should the vehicle remain for an additional similar period, an additional cycle is completed and an additional picture is taken. If the vehicle remains a length of time in excess of the picture taking capacity of the film it is contemplated that the vehicle would be removed by the authorities and hauled to a place where it would be impounded..

Should the vehicle leave the parking space before the first timing cycle is completed, or for that matter, before any subsequent timing cycle is completed, the vehicle iny leaving the parking space would depress the plate I5. 'I'his depression of the plate I5 would shift the switch bar 21 to neutral position breaking the circuit to the motor and to the magnet 55. De-energization of the magnet 55 allows the spring 5I-A to withdraw the dog 5I from the teeth of the ratchet wheel 52 and permit the weight 81 to return the cam 1 0 to initial position` During this return movement the roller 12 would roll s downward along the face of the timing cam, depressing the lug 8| during such movement, but the arm 15being held by the spring 11 against the stop 18, the movement of the lug 8i effects no engagement with the lug 82 and no picture is made. As the abrupt face 1I of the cam 10 approaches the roller 12, the roller engages the end 8IA of the latch member 8|,

disengaging the opposite end 8I-B from the.

the springs raise the plate, the switch is cut off and .the cycle is terminated as before.

During the period in which the vehicle is parked the flag IIS lies flat against the top of the stand until the termination of the full parking period, at which time the roller 12 drops depressing the link 83 and taking the first picture in the camera. At such time the extension II5 of the link 83 swings the flag II8 to vertical position, indicating to the patrolman having charge that the vehicle has over-stayed the free parking time and that a picture has been taken. Should the vehicle thereafter depart within a iixed length of time the patrolman turns the ag down, unlocks the door of the stand and removes the roll of film from the camera, substituting therefor an unexposed roll, after which the door of the stand is closed and locked and the device is ready to again record over-time parking. If the stay becomes too extended, other and more drastic steps, as impounding the car, may be taken.

It is obvious that the patrolman may not be in the vicinity of the stand when the offending Cil vehicle leaves and that before he returns another vehicle may have taken its place. The patrolman therefore makes note of any vehicle which has parked over-time, and has thereby raised a iiag, so that he may know that it has been replaced by another vehicle. The patrolman nding a replacing ca'r unlocks the stand, removes the lm and replaces it with a new lm, it being immaterial how long the latter vehicle has been in the parking space when the film change is made, provided only that a full parking period has not elapsed since entry of the vehicle, and even in that case the result would merely be that there would be pictures of two over-time parkers on one lm, and the record would be correct as to both.

From time to time the patrolman turns in the films collected, the lms are developed and from the numbers recorded on the films, the ownerships of the vehicles are determined and proper notices sent to or served on the oienders.

It will be understood that much of the detail herein shown is illustrative only, and especially that a spring motor may be substituted for the electric motor in which case obviously a mechanical trip might be substituted for the electrical trip should it be deemed undesirable to retain the electrical trip. I wish it distinctly understood therefore that it is not by intent or purpose to conne myself to the details herein shown except insofar as such detail may be set out in any claim.

I claim:

1. In a parking regulator, means dening a parking space, a camera having a shutter trip, means supporting and directing the lens Vof said camera toward an end of a vehicle parked in said space; timing means, means carried by said timing means for engaging and operating said trip at predetermined intervals, means controlled -parking space, a camera having a shutter trip,

means supporting and directing the lens of said camera toward an end of a vehicle parked in said space; timing means, means carried by said timing means for engaging and operating said trip at the termination of a predetermined interval,

` means controlled by entrance and exit of a vehicle from said parking space for respectively starting and stopping said timing means, and means released by said stopping means for returning said timing means to initial starting point.

3. In a parking regulator, means defining a parking space, a camera having a shutter trip,

means supporting and directing the lens of said camera toward an end of a vehicle parked in said space; timing means, means for operably coupling said timing means to said trlp after a predetermined interval, means controlled by entrance and exit of a vehicle from said parking space for respectively starting and stopping said timing means, and means released by said stopping means for returning said timing means to initial starting point.

4. In a parking regulator, means defining a parking space, a camera having a shutter trip, means supporting and directing the lens of said camera toward an end of a vehicle parked in shutter said space; timing means, including a constant speed electric motor, and a power circuit thereto, means carried by said timing means for engaging and operating said trip at predetermined intervals; a switch in said circuit, closed by entrance and opened by exit of a vehicle from said parking space for respectively starting and stopping said motor, and means released by opening said switch for returning said timing means to initial starting point.

5. In a parking regulator, means defining a parking space, a camera having a shutter trip, means supporting and directing the lens of said camera toward an end of a vehicle parked in said space; timing means, including a constant speed electric motor, and a power circuit thereto, means carried by said timing means for engaging and operating said trip after a predetermined interval, a switch in said circuit, means actuated by entrance of a vehicle into, and exit of said vehicle from, said parking space for respectively closing and opening said switch to start and stop said motor, and means released by cessation of current iiow on opening said switch for returning said timing means to initial starting point.

6. In a parking regulator, means dening a parking space, a camera having a shutter trip, means supporting and directing the lens of said camera toward an end of a vehicle parked in said space; timing means, including a constant speed electric motor, and a power circuit thereto, means carried by said timing means for engaging and operating said trip at predetermined intervals; a switch in said circuit, means actuated by entrance oi a vehicle into, and exit of a vehicle from said parking space, for respectively closing and opening said switch, for respectively starting and stopping said motor, and means released by opening said switch for returning said timing means to initial starting point.

'7. In a parking regulator, means dening the parking position of an automobile, a camera having shutter operating means, means supporting and directing the lens of said camera toward an end of a vehicle parked in said position; a constant speed electric motor, speed reduction means driven by said motor, means including an electro-magnet adapted on energization and deenergization to respectively couple said reductions means to and uncouple said means from, said shutter operating means, a power circuit leading to said motor, means electrically coupling said circuit and said magnet, a switch in said power circuit, means actuated by moving a vehicle into and out of said position for respectively closing and opening said switch, and means operable on release of said coupling means for returning said shutter operating means to initial starting point.

8. In a parking regulator, means defining a vehicle parking position, a camera having shutter operating means, means supporting and directing the lens of said camera toward an end of aA vehicle parked in said position, said shutter operating means, including a rotary member having a recurring operating position, a constant speed electric motor, speed reduction means driven by said motor, means including an electro-magnet adapted on energization and deenergization to respectively couple said reduction means to and uncouple said means from said operating means, a power circuit leading to said motor, means electrically coupling said circuit and said magnet, a switch starting point, and means uncoupling said return y means on completion of each shutter operation, said means recoupling said retur`n means as each new cycle begins.

, JOHN W. BULLOCK. 

